By Paul T Davies Paul T Davis reviews London Tide now playing in the Lyttleton at the National Theatre, London. Ami Tredrea. Photo: Marc Brenner London Tide. National Theatre, Lyttleton. 17 April 2024 3 Stars Book Tickets “This is the story of a river”, just one of the lines in the opening number of Ben Powers’ modernistic adaptation of Dicken’s Our Mutual Friend, with songs by PJ Harvey and Powers himself. Director Ian Rickson and the designers certainly lean into the concept of the Thames, a superb opening has the cast being washed up on the shore, and Jack Knowles’s outstanding lighting des ..read more

By Douglas Mayo Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Lionel Bart’s classic family musical Oliver! comes to the Gielgud Theatre in December 2024. Cameron Mackintosh’s new co-production of Lionel Barts musical Oliver, staged with Chichester Festival Theatre is to open at the Gielgud Theatre this December. JOIN OUR MAILING LIST TO STAY INFORMED FOR TICKETS The full reconceived production by director and choreographer Matthew Bourne comes to the West End via Chichester. The cast includes Simon Lipkin (Guys and Dolls, Avenue Q) as Fagin, Shanay Holmes (Miss Saigon, The Bodygua ..read more

By Douglas Mayo Mrs Doubtfire the musical announces new casting as it enters its second year in the West End. Gabriel Vick as Mrs Doubtfire. Photo: Manuel Harlan Rehearsals are now underway for the new West End cast members of Mrs Doubtfire as the show starts its second year at the Shaftesbury Theatre. BOOK MRS DOUBTFIRE THE MUSICAL TICKETS The cast of Mrs Doubtfire will continue to include Gabriel Vick (Avenue Q) as Daniel Hillard, Laura Tebbutt (School of Rock) as Miranda Hillard, Cameron Blakely (Newsies) as Frank Hillard, Marcus Collins (Kinky Boots) as Andre, and Micha Richardson (Come Fr ..read more

By Douglas Mayo The Tubular Bells Concert Tour will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Tubular Bells, the iconic masterpiece will be performed live with a full band across the UK in 2024. Tubular Bells Concert Tour 2024 To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Tubular Bells, the iconic masterpiece will be performed live with a full band across the UK in 2024. The Tubular Bells Concert 2024 Tour is conducted and arranged by Oldfield’s long-term collaborator Robin Smith. BOOK TUBULAR BELLS TICKETS Tubular Bells was the debut studio album by English multi-instrumentalist, composer and songwriter Mi ..read more

By Douglas Mayo Winners of the 2024 Olivier Awards were announced at the Royal Albert Hall last night hosted by Hannah Waddingham. Hannah Waddingham hosted the 2024 Olivier Awards with Mastercard live from the Royal Albert Hall last night. Theatre excellence was celebrated with Jamie Lloyd’s production of Sunset Boulevard winning seven Olivier Awards including Best Actor and Actress in a musical. The evening concluded with a celebration of 60 Years of the National Theatre. Eleanor Lloyd, President of SOLT said: “The Olivier Awards have once again showcased the best of London theatre and the h ..read more

By Douglas Mayo Mamma Mia! the musical which is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary announces it will extend through to 29 March 2025 at the Novello Theatre. Kate Graham, Mazz Murray and Nicola Dawn Brook. Photo: Brinkhoff Mogenburg Currently celebrating its 25th birthday in London, Mamma Mia! the musical has announced it will extend London performances through to 29 March 2025. BOOK TICKETS FOR MAMMA MIA! Mamma Mia! originally opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 April 1999, before transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004, and then to the Novello Theatre in 201 ..read more

By Douglas Mayo Six the musical has announced it will extend its reign at the Vaudeville Theatre to May 2025. The cast of Six. Photo: Pamela Raith Musical sensation Six has announced it will extend its run at London’s Vaudeville Theatre through to Sunday 4 May 2025. BOOK TICKETS FOR SIX THE MUSICAL Six in the West End will also hold a concurrent karaoke performance on 6 June 2024 with its Broadway sister production called Six Karaoke (You Have A Voice). The event will see fans welcomed onto the Vaudeville Theatre (West End) and Lena Horne Theatre (Broadway) stages to sing their favourite song ..read more

By Douglas Mayo New musical Opening Night starring Sheridan Smith has announced it will now close on 18 May 2024 ending its West End run early. Photo: Jan Versweyveld The new musical John Cassavetes’ Opening Night is to end its run at the Gielgud Theatre early, having announced it will close early on 18 May 2024. BOOK TICKETS FOR OPENING NIGHT Opening Night was scheduled to conclude its run on 7 July. Patrons are advised that they will be contacted directly from their ticket seller. Producers issued the following statement:- “It is an honour to produce this beautiful new musical in the West En ..read more

By Ray Rackham Ray Rackham reviews Andrea McArdle in Confessions of a Broadway Baby at 54 Below, Broadway. Andrea McArdle Confessions of a Broadway Baby 54 Below, Broadway 5 Stars 54 Below Website What do you do when Little Orphan Annie tells you that she’s now a grandmother? Charting a life on the Broadway stage, and a lifetime away from that child actress turned star of the 1977 hit, Andrea McArdle proves how a great attitude, a joie de vivre, and an incredible voice can sustain not only an illustrious career but guarantee the love of an audience for almost five decades. Her latest show, Con ..read more

By Ray Rackham Ray Rackham reviews new musical Water For Elephants now playing at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre. Photo: Murphy Made Water For Elephants Imperial Theatre 3 Stars BOOK TICKETS With a score by the seven-man collective PigPen Theatre, book by Rick Elice, direction from Broadway’s Jessica Stone, and an abundance circus artistry from the talented Shana Carroll, Water for Elephants is a magical and spectacular new musical; but it doesn’t always know what should be destined for the big top and what should be confined to the sideshow. This season, the marquees of West Forty-Fifth Street c ..read more